Lens drilling machine



Dec. 9, 1952 5, w, JONES -r- 2,620,687

' LENS DRILLING MACHINE Filed March 11. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 an GEORGE C. SCHELLING Gttorneg B9 58 lo Y 3nnentors BURR W. JONES Dec. 9, 1952 B. w. JONES ET AL 2,620,687

LENS DRILLING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 58 75 79 FIG.2

WM 2? W 95 92 95 94 m2 1 use n5 59 54 I II 98 68 I50 I28 I27 III N BURRWJONES Gttomeg Filed March 11, 1949 Dec. 9, 1952 B. w. JONES ETAL 2,620,687

LENS DRILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 BURR W.JONES GEORGE c. SCHELLING (Ittotneg Patented Dec. 9, 1952 2,620,687 LENS DRILLING MACHINE Burr W. Jones, Rochester, and George C. Schelling, Irondequoit, N. Y., assignors to Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, Rochester, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application March 11, 1949, Serial No. 80,824

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in glass drilling machines and more particularly to machines for drilling ophthalmic lenses and the like.

In order to drill a hole through a lens or like object Without chipping the outer edges thereof, the hole must be drilled only part way through the lens from one side, the remaining part of the hole being drilled from the opposite side of the lens coaXially with the first part. To facilitate this method of drilling, the mechanism for holding thelens is usually made movable so that the opposite sides of the lens may be presented to the drill in successive operations without un-' clamping the lens. However, such mechanisms, because of the mobility of the lens clamping mechanism, have inherent manufacturing and operational difficulties and necessarily become loose and unreliable because of wear on their moving parts. This invention obviates these diificulties by holding the lens rigidly stationary while a hole is drilled completely through the lens so as to prevent any harmful vibration or shake of the lens. Combined with the lens clamping'mechanism is a dual drill spindle structure and other mechanisms which facilitate this type of lens drilling.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel glass drilling machine for lenses or the like in which the lens is rigidly held in a stationary position while a hole is drilled in the lens to completion from opposite sides.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a device having clamping mechanism for reliably holding a variety of shapes, curvatures and sizes of lenses in a position of good visibility and easy accessibility for the operator.

It is a further object to provide a lens clampingmechanism in which one of the lens clamping' jaws is automatically adjusted, relative to a cooperating clamping jaw, for different edge thicknesses of lenses simultaneously with movements of a device for measuring the thickness of a lens.

Another object is to provide such a device incorporating a gauge for measuring the screw hole location in the lens anchoring ears of spectacle mounting and transferring that location to an edge distance locating device for the lens.

A further object is to provide a lens drilling machine in which a pair of coaxial drills, which are axially movable in unison, operate on opposite sides of a rigidly held lens to drill a subishing operation such as reaming.

It is another object to provide such a device having its drill spindles and associated bearing structure constructed" as sub-assembly units which may be easily and quickly removed, replaced, or adjusted.

These and other objects and advantages reside in the novel details of construction and combination of parts as will be evidenced by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a lens drilling machine embodying one form of our invention with parts shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, V

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a somewhat schematic view showing at a reduced scale and in side elevation, the lubrieating mechanism for the drills,

Fig. 7 is a partial midsectional view of a second embodiment of our invention, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line B-8 of Fig. 7.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein one embodiment of this invention is illustrated, a frame It! is provided with two pair of vertical, axially aligned openings ll, l2 and I3, I4 therethrough. In the intermediate openings [2 and [3, a pair of intermediate bearing members l5 and I6 are fixed in any suitable manner such as a'friction fit and in the outer openings l l and M, a pair of outer bearing members H and I8 are removably held in the frame. The word intermediate appearing herein designates the innermost members which are adjacent to each other. For the purpose of holding the outer bearing members I1 and I8 in place, set screws 2! and 22, threaded in the frame 10, are provided which bear against suitable flats formed on said bearing members.

An important features of our invention resides in the form of the drill spindle structure which comprises a pair of axially aligned drill spindles 23 and 24 which are journaled for rotational and axial motion at their outer ends within the bores 25 and 26 of the outer bearing members I I and I8, respectively. The spindles 23 and 24 are arranged in opposed and spaced relation to each other and are journaled within the frame at. The, form and arrangement of the drilling mechanism their inner ends as described hereinafter.

is shown in detail in Fig. 2, and the upper and lower drill spindle structures are similar to each other so that only the lower assembly is shown in detail therein.

Each of the drill spindles 23 and 24 is individually driven by a drive member of suitable form suchtas'e-the drive pulleyst 21 and 23,,re:-

spectively; The drive pulleys are rotatably journaled on cylindrical bearing surfaces 29 and 30 on bearing members I! and I8, respectively, which project beyond the frame [0, and arepreevented from endWise movement by radial'an-" nular flanges 3i and 32 onatheouterxbearinge members 11 and I8, respectively; which fitifreelyfis within corresponding annular recesses. 33 'and 34 in their respective pulleys. Pulleys 21 and 28 are slidably keyed to the respective drill spindles -23 and 24 by means of drive pins 35 and 36 anchored in the pulleys so as to project inwardly thereof and slidably engage within a pair of keyways 31 andix38: on the; spindles 23 :and;.24--resp ectively.

The rdriveepinsz .3 5:.. and 3 6. alsoiwform :mean's: for. ..J respectivelyrholding a pair: of closure diskss39i andw-40= in-.the: annular recesses 33 and-34; since the drive pins extend through holesinth disks.

totenter the keyways3'l :andI38-.

At :the :inner; ends ;of .the: drill spindles; .2 3i and:.

ably? J'Qurnaled respectively: in thezintermediate' bearing members I5 andrl6',:.are;-provided totre ceivevthe drill spindleswhichare rotatablygjourfnal-ed-butarerrestrained fromzendwise: movement relative thereto. the; relative endwisemovementin .one direction is prevented preferably byaalrpair of. collars;.45. which arefixedl-lon" :thespindles: in; anylisuitable manner such as the set screwsshorvnein;Fig;y2,V

said. collars --;fitting;freely; withinecounterbore :46 at the outer ends of'rth'e'lsleevesl43 and. 44s: Rela, tive: movement .in.- the :opposite direction'is pre- In.-th=is :form :of r thee-invention,

vented by thrust bearings 41 housed wi-thinlthe" Feedmeansare provided. for reciprocating-both of lthe. .drillQspindles simultaneously in the same. direction comprising a..hand lever .56! connected inlany preferredmanner, such .as-thelkeyed.con-- nectionjl'fshown in Fig, A, .to annppgenoperating shaft -.58Ywh=ich is .connected to the upperlspind-le and..'b'y,.an.adj1'1stable.link member59 to. a lower.

operating. lever. 60' l which. is pivotally'. connected to the. lowenspin'dleas .shown..in .Figrfil. Operating IeVerBD'issuitably fixed on aloweroperating' shaft filfwhich;extends.--through-.-th'e:frame ll at .63 and.'.64 'in to the hollowbaseportion 52% best shown in .-Fig.. .5. On the.operating shafts 58:

and 611; 1 upper, and; lower. bifurcated. shift. forks and .661 respectiizely, are..fixed: .in any preferred manner .such-.as-..the keyed; connectionb].

Tlifreeendslofcthe forks-65 and. 66 -are tractively connected .t0-.the respective sleevesr43= and 44by.,a pairloflinwardlyprojectingkeys. 69, Il

for the rupper-sleve..43 Q'shownin Fig; .3, and by a corresponding, pairl-ofe keys, oneof. which .is: shown at H 0f.- Fig.1, for; the lower. sleeve .44. Both'of. the above mentioned..pairs..of keys are. pivotally; mounted inwardly .onthe oppositefur-.

cations of Itheirl. respective forks :65 and 66 wand.-

slidably fit within a corresponding pair of mutually parallel slots 12, 13 transversely formed in the upper operating sleeve 43 and a similar pair of slots, one of which is shown at 14, for the lower sleeve 44.

A yieldably mounted plunger 15, against which thetfork' .65 rests; is provided fornormallyekeeping' the drill'spindles 23 1 and 24 in inoperative position as shown in Fig. 2. The upper position -of .the plunger 15 corresponds to the normal inoperativeposition of the drill spindles and is establishedby the engagement of a shoulder on theen'largeduhead portion 16 of the plunger I5 against iarrlinn'er shoulder in the counterbore 11 formed within a, plunger retaining thimble 18.

A spring Bllieswithin the counterbore TI and bearswagainst. the." underside of the head 15.. Thimble l8'is threaded on its outer surface to engage Within a threaded opening in the frame H] and an exposed hexagonal flange 19 is provided. whereby: the 'lthimbledmay; be. rotated. to changep-theenormal I inoperativepositiomloil'. the r drill spindles. The: "strength? -'of':the':-spring;8 I is: adjusted by a screw abutment plug 82 threaded" intotthedower end ofcth'e opening;80:.

order to vlimi-t zthe .fitIOkGrOf. :the..spindles-..-2 3i and 24w-in either: direction, jspindle :stop screws 83 and-.184 are?provided; as shown in.-Fig=-..6:,'4on-tr the exteriorsurface-bf the framewl 0 substantially. in.the:plane of-rmotion and in FPIOXimitY WitII'thGf hand lever 56- "and: operating ilever: 60;: respec I tivel-y; Thevstopl screws-.83: and -84 are-threaded 1. for-adjustment into bosses on the frame-sasshown in. Eigefi'landzarewprovided :withzlock nuts-.85 -and -.t

'86? rss-pectivelyby;which the adjustment isr'fixed To preventaentrancewof foreign matter to.:the.:- thrust bearing-:41; the intermediate:bearingunemaa her-.1 6-. is:extendedaboventhe:frame?I 0 in'which it! iswheld andra protective-cap :B-his zheld thereon:

in telescopingqrelation-l'over the 'bearing:;:member;;

l6-by;the-.-lock-nut- 5L:

According 7130- :this' invention}. clamping, meansi are provided for holding'tan: ophthalmic lens -'88 in a fixediposi-tion' with referenceztoth' aframe lfl' while a. hole. =isl dril1ed. torcompletion in: the-lens. One-form of :lens clampingmechanism,- shown in Fig. 2, comprises a stationary upperfjaw 89;" aligned -wi-th-a.- movable lower-'jaw' 90; so as .to clamp the=lens?83 therebetween adjacent its edge and. :on itsrefractive surfaces. Additionally the a clamping means comprises. an.--ou-ter. support' member 9i adapted :to press against the edge 0f the. lens at a. position. A substantially;- oppositeto said: jaWs'.-as::-will be-.-hereinafter described. The upper jaw 89 is preferably, formed integrally-with. anupper-plate. 92 heldlby the screws =il3 orrttheframe 10. Movabilityof the-. 1ov. er.-jaw-90with reference .to the. upper j aw 89 iis attained in :this formlof the. invention by.=pivoting it 1 on .alpivot pin 94 withina guid-ingfirecess:95-in-a lo-wer plateetiwhiohwserves td-align the lowerljaw withothe upper. jaw-.--. Anintermediate plate 9'! fills lthe space .between plates-. 92-and 93 vandthe screws 93 extend through these three plates to securely hold-.themin correct relative position.

l3y.;-reerringsto .-Fig.-- 2, it will berseen' that the clampingsu-rfaces S8-and" 59 on the-.jaws- 89 and: f 9!], respectively, are somewhat spherically shaped:- so as to clampeither a-concave or a convex lens surface. of any ordinarydegree ofrurvaturewith equal :eifectiveness-e Preferably. the jaws 89 'andi fill are formed-with concave -recesses-l9fl and HH on the sidesoppositeto the clamping surfaces ES and 99- so -that the center portions which are'in contact with the lens are reduced-in thicknessrfdr improving visibility of the drilling operation while retaining ample rigidity. Open-ended flared slots I02 and I03, as best shown in Fig. 4, having clearance for the drilling tools 54 and 55, are formed longitudinally in the jaws 89 and 99 to enable the operator to see the spot to be drilled and for facility in cleaning the jaws. As shown in Fig. 2, the movable jaw 90 has a vertical lever arm I04 thereon extending downwardly into an opening I05 in the frame I9. This opening is closed on its outer side by a closure plate I06 which is attached in any preferred manner to the frame.

Clamping pressure is applied to the lever arm I04 to move it and lock it unyieldingly in clamping position by a locking plunger I01 which is slidably mounted in a bore I08 in the frame I so as to move against the arm. The bore I08 communicates with the slot-shaped opening I so that the lever arm I04 may swing into the path of travel of the locking plunger I01 and be moved thereby.

Locking plunger I01 is forced to move to locking-position by a compression spring I09 seated at its lower end in a recess I I0 in plunger I31 and abutting at its upper end against a disk I I I, that is held loosely within the bore I08 against the lower plate 96. The initial pressure of the spring I09 is varied by any suitable means such as an adjustment screw II2 threaded into the lower plate 96 and bearing against the disk I II. To provide access to the adjustment screw II2, a clearance hole II3 is formed substantially coaxially with the screw I I2 through the plates lying above the screw. A cam surface II4 of low inclination is formed on the lower end of the lever arm I04, said surface being adapted to contact with a shoulder II5 located at the edge of a notch I I6 in the locking plunger I01.

The aforementioned outer support member 9| which is used in conjunction with the clamping jaws 89 and 90 for clamping the lens is slidably mounted in the frame I0 so as to bear against the outer edge of the len 38 with a definite pressure in'a position substantially opposite to said jaws. Preferably the lens contacting surface II1 of the support member is for-med of a resilient material such as rubber and is somewhat spherically curved as shown for advantageou accommodation of lenses having different shapes and curvatures. The surface II1 extends along an upstanding crosshead II8 which is movably mounted relative to the frame I0 on mounting rods H9 and I which are fixed in said crosshead' at one end and slidably telescoped into the bores I2I and I22 of a corresponding pair of hollowrods I23 and I24 which are slidably held in the frame at either side of the spindle 24 as best shown in Fig. 4. For coordinating the sliding motion of the hollow rods I23 and I24, a cross bar I25 is fixed to the outer ends thereof in any preferred manner.

Means are provided for varying the normal clamping position of the outer support member 9I to accommodate various sizes of lenses comprising an adjustment member I26 mounted in any desired manner, such as a screw thread I21, for movement through the outer support member and abutting on its inner end against the crossbar I25. A tension spring I23, housed Within a bore I29 and extending freely through an opening I30 in crossbar I25, i anchored by means of a swivel connection to the adjustment member I26 at one end and to the frame I9 at its other end in any suitable manner such as that shown in Fig. 2, the spring being under a definite ten-v sion which causes the support member 9I to move toward the jaws 89 and 90 and thus clamp the lens 88. Protection from harmful material such as lint and dirt is provided for the screw thread I21 and the mounting rods II9, I20 and hollow rods I23, I24 by the telescoping covers I3I and I32 attached respectively to the frame I0 and the crosshead I I8.

Unitary release means, as best shown in Figs.

4 and 5, for manually releasing the clamping pressure of the movable jaw 90 in sequence to releasing the clamping pressure of the outer support projects. I36 having closed ends wherein a movable cam member I31 is slidably fitted, no part of which projects above the surfaces of the release bar. Referring to Fig. 5, inclined cam surfaces I38 and I39 are provided on the cam member I31 and the locking plunger I01, respectively, by which the plunger is raised to unlocking position. When in clamping position, the cam surfaces I38 and I 39 are slightly spaced apart so that the full pressure of the spring I09 is applied solely to the lever arm I04 by means of cam surface 4 and shoulder I I5.

For releasing the outer support member M, a keylike laterally projecting cam I40, having inclined surface MI, is provided on release bar I33. The surface MI is aligned with an adjacent cothe lens 88. operated in sequence to the operation of the movable jaw 90 by reason of the fact that the cam L surfaces I38 and I39 for operating the jaw 90 are spaced farther apart than the cooperating cam surfaces MI and I42 for member 9I.

The cam surface I39 may be changed in longitudinal position relative to the cam surface I33 by a rotatable stem I44 threaded into the movi The stem I44 is prevented from able cam I31. moving endwise by an integral collar I45 which snugly fits within a recess in a retainer cap I46 which in turn is fixed in any preferred manner ing lever I 48 pivoted at I 49 to the frame I0 andconnected to the bar I33 by a pin I50 fixed in the 1 bar I33 so as to slide within an elongated slot I5I in the lever I48 as shown in Fig. 4.

For controlling the distance from the edge of.

the lens to a hole drilled therein, there is provided a locater member I53 having an abutting surface I52 against which an edge of the lens 88 is placed before clamping. Locater member I53 is slidably fitted into a recess I54 extending across the intermediate plate 91 and is held therein by the overlying plate 92. To a downwardly directed ear I55 on the rear end of member I53 there is fixed a block I55 in which a projecting antifrictional roller I51 is pivoted. Motion of the I 58 Whlcliis 'sli'dably mounted crosswise ofthe 1 locate'r member'in an opening I 59 formed coop'' erativel'y bythe frame lfl'and "the plates-92f95,-

and 91?" Endwise" movement of the regulating bar"I58 imparts movements to'the locater mem berl 53 by meansof a-cam surface I liflformed' at 1 substantially? to the surface of "the regulating barwhich faces 'the'roller I 51'. A spring actuated plunger IBI slidably mounted in-the'lowerplate- 96" 'and-"pressing againsttheear' I55urges' the roll'r l 51' "intofir'm'contact with the cam surface 1 In: connectio'n'with locater' member I 53f1the1'e is provided a strap'gauge I62 'wherein'a lens holdingjstrap"of' an"ophthalmic mounting can be gaugedto'determine the corresponding edge distance ofthe holeto-be-drilld. The gauge I62 comprises-a fixed upstandingpin l63anchoredin a boss I which protrudes from the frame'l B and a =movable gauge'fork' I65 which is-movedby the regul'ating'bar158 and may,-if desired, be apart there'oras-shown in Fig. 41- Fixed gauge'pin- I 03 extends vertically into an' open endedslot I65 7 the shaftififl 'is prevented by an integral flange I 10-c0nfined ina closely fitting recess formed in the-block III which is fixed 'in the opening I59; Motive 'power'is' provided for the spindle pulleys 2'I "and"28 by a motor I 'IZ haVing shaft extensions I13 andI 'll' at 'eitherend' on which are motor pulleys 'I'IS' and =I'I6',"respectively. The drivin connections preferably consist of the belts Ill and I'IIlFeXtendi ng between the motor-pulleys-and the I spindl pulle'ys.

Tlie'motor I12 is-balanced for equalizing the tension of the driving belts I'I'I'and IIBby pivoting- 'i'it in a 'motonsupporting' cradle 119; As

shown in l ig 1,-th'e cradle I19 'compris'es a ring section ofthe'motor I12" and having attached thereto -trunnions; one of which is shownat IBI',

disposed substantially in the plane of the center The 'trunnions I8 I" are of gravity of' themotor;

carried in upstanding portions I83"of' the cradle "S and-may, if desiredfb'e providedwith vibra-' tion abs'orbing members I 85 -interposed between thetcradle and themotor'." The cradle I19 is pivotal-ly mounted for-motion toward and. away from the drilling'machine about a rod'IB'I which extends through lugs I88 integrally cast on a'frame extension I89. A connecting wall I 90, extending between the upstanding portions 183; unifies the cradle ll9 and'provides a belt guardfor the lower belt" I 18. A tensionmemberof any. suitable form,

such'as'the'screw 'I9I "connected to the cradle I79 atf'a'favorable leverage point I92 and anchored in a thetframetextension. I89, serves to tension the.

belts.

Adquate'protection for the operator from the danger of moving parts is afforded by a-guard or cover'member I93 afiixed to the frame I0 in any suitable way such asby the supporting posts I94 andrretaining screws I95 threaded therein m this type'of"macl1ine, itis found advantatools 54 and 55 immediately before the drill'is applied 'to'thelens'," especially since one of-the drills operates in an inverted positions This desirable feature is here providedby a lubricant feed pump- I96 connected by. any suitable "actuating ,means," such" as the' mechanical and" electrical means shown in 'Fig. 6, to the operating lever 50 of the reciprocatingmechanism for the drill spindles 23"and" 24: As here disclosed; a-switch 'mecha-- nism IS'I'aGtua-ted'by a'lug I98on the operating lever 60'selectively controls 'energizationofa pair of opposed electromagnetic solenoids I99*an'd"200' which magnetically'reciprocate a free piston 20I so astopump measured'quantities of lubricant to the nozzles 202 and'203 in responseto'motion of T the reciprocating mechanism; Drillinglubricant is stored in a tank204 which is :connectedat'the bottom "to a suitable self-actuated'valvestructure" 205*o-ftconventional form which communicates" with the pumpchambers 206 and'ZU'I.

Electrical power for energizingthesolenoids" I99and 200 issupplied'from' a powercircuit 208,

connected to a central flexiblecontact arm 209 by" Contacts 2 I I and, 2 I2on'contactarm4 a lead 2 I0; 209 are normally 'free'from their matingrcom tacts 2I3 and 2M which are; respectively com" nectedto'leads 2I5 and .2I6"termin'ating"at the solenoids 200 and I99; respectively. The solenoid circuits are completed through the commontlead:

2 I'I'to'the power "supply." An :in'sulatedfork 2I8 fixed-to the central'arm 209 straddles the lug I98 on theleve'r 50"so as to actuate the'switch'.I9'I

upon movement of the lever.

Inv theoperati'onof this'embodiment lot the in= vention, the clamping lever I 48 is swung outward- 1y, thus first causing the support membe 9 I to open and then the lower jaw 1to1open1in se'-' quence.

slot I02; Clampinglever I48 is th'en-movedinwardly to clamp: the lens 88' in two sequential steps, by first closing of the jaw 90'and then by. movinginwardly thesupport member. 9IJ. More particularly,emovement ofth'e release bar: I33'to' the'right (Fi'g.f5)j resultsin the'descent of the lockingj member I01- underthe pressure offithe' spring; I09 until the locking. member wedges the lever arm I04 into firms clampinggposition,sucht'. that displacement causedby drilling pressurezfromr the .upperdr'ill is prevented] Further movement. of the releasebar. I 33 to the right carries the cam. surface I4I'out'of contact with thecam surface. I 42"thus allowingth'e spring I 28 to'move the outer;- support member 9| inwardly until the surface I I! '3 bears firmly againstithe Outeredgeof-the lens.88l.

The motor I'I2'is thenstarted andby depressing, A the hand'lever 56, against the tensionrof-springw BI, the upper drilling tool-54-is[.moved downwardlytowards thelens88 and the lower drillingtool 55 is moved downwardlyaway from the lens.

by. virtueof the: interconnection of the levers 56- andGB. As theoperating 1ever.56.-starts jtozmove downwardly, the contacts 2 I I a and .12I3., ofuthes switch I91 are closed to thereby. energize the sole-- noid..200 andv move the freepistonzfll to deliver. a measured quantityof lubricant through the. upper nozzle 202 to the upper side of thelens 88 where the hole-is-to be drilled? With the continueddownward movementof lever 56 the-.dril1-- ing tool 54.contactsthe,1ens and bores'about half;

way through the lens until the downward travel The lens 88 is inserted between the jaws' 89 and 90 with its redge'against the'locator mem-.

ber; I53; the lens beingpositionedimeantime'in sucha manner that a previously affixed drilling, mark'thereon' appears in th' center of the flared v is stopped by engagement of the lever 56 with the stop member 83. Upon release of the hand lever 56, the spring 8I raises the spindles 23 and 24 to normal centralized position. By an upward stroke of the hand lever 56, the contacts 2I2 and 2I4 of switch I91 are closed, thus energizing the solenoid I80 and moving the piston 28I in a reversed direction to deliver a measured quantity of lubricant through the nozzle 203 to the under-- side of the lens 88. Immediately thereafter, and with continued upward movement of lever 56, the lower drilling tool 55 contacts the lens and drills the hole to completion in perfect alignment with the first part of the hole, the travel of the tool 55 being arrested by the engagement of lever 68 with the stop member 84.

The handle lever 56 is then lowered so'that the driling tools 54 and 55 again reach normal inoperative position, the clamping lever I48 is swung outwardly to release the lens 88, first by releasing the outer support member SI and then by releasing the movable jaw 95 through engagement of the cams I4I, I42 and I38, I39 respectively, so that the lens 88 may be removed.

Since the jaw 90 is pivotally mounted, it swings open through a greater angle to accommodate a thick lens than it does for a thin lens. Within a limited range of lens thicknesses, this change of normal clamping position of jaw ,90 is accommodated for since the locking member I01 lodges at a higher position along the cam surface II4 on the lever arm I04 when clamping a thick lens than when clamping a thin lens. To compensate for this change of position, the movable cam member I3! is moved endwise of the release bar I33 to maintain the required clearance'between the cam surfaces I39 and I38 when in clamping position. The normal clamping position of jaw 90 is set in accordance with the edge thickness of the lens as above mentioned by rotating the nob I41 to the proper setting as indicated by the index 220 which cooperates with the circular scale 2I9.

The normal clamping position of the outer support member 9| may be adjusted to suit lenses of different widths by rotating the adjustment member I26 so that the index 222 aligns with the lens width number on its scale 22I. When the adjustment screw I26 is rotated, the mounting rods H3 and I slide within the hollow rods I23 and I24, respectively, the end of the adjustment member being maintained firmly at all times against the cross bar I by the action of spring I28. By this mechanism, the clamping movements of the outer support member 9I are always of' the same magnitude, regardless of the length of the lens being clamped.

Setting of the locater member I53 for different edge distances of drilled holes can be accomplished by the following method- The screw hole location on the lens holding strap of an ophthalmic mounting is measured on the edge distance gauge I62 by placing the screw hole on the pin I63. The knob I68 is then rotated until the shoe of the ophthalmic mounting contacts the curved fork I61, the regulating bar I58 and cam surface I60 simultaneously being moved away from the gauge. The spring-actuated plunger I8I thereupon moves the locater member I53 toward the cam surface I60 by an amountequal to the movement of the bar I58 which automatically places the locater member in a position corresponding with the setting of the edge distance gauge.

It will be noted that each drill spindle together with its associated bearing structure is constructed to form a readily demountable subassembly which is held in place by a set screw. This feature is common to the embodiments shown in both Figs. 2 and '7. In removing the upper sub-assembly, for instance, the set screw is unscrewed and the belt I1! is removed from its pulley. After the keys 69, I8 have been disengaged from their respective slots, the drill spindle unit comprising the spindle 23 and sleeve 43, pulley 27 and bearing member I! can be removed from the opening II in the frame I8 and. thereafter can be serviced or replaced as a unit.

In the second embodiment of this invention, illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the general arrangement is similar to the first embodiment, particularly as to the general arrangement of the upper and lower drill spindle mechanisms, but it has different features embodied in the spindles and lens clamping mechanism.

Because of the similarity of the upper and lower drill spindle structures of the second embodiment, it is considered sufficient to describe only the lower assembly and show it in Fig. '7. In this form of drill spindle design, a lower drill spindle 224 in alignment with an upper drill spindle, not shown and spaced therefrom, is rotatably and slidably journaled in a lower sleeve bearing 225 which is removably held by a set screw 226 in the lower of two aligned openings in the frame 227. The end of the drill spindle is bored to receive a drilling tool 229 which is fixed therein by any suitable means such as a set screw.

Reciprocation mechanism for the drill spindle 224 comprises a bifurcated fork 230 fixed on a lower operating shaft 23I which is connected by linkage mechanism to a duplicate upper operating shaft, not shown, so as to produce synchronous identical movements of both upper and lower drill spindles. The bifurcated free ends of the fork 230 are connected by sliding keys 232, similar to the keys 63 and I0 shown in Fig. 1, to a lower thrust collar 233 rotatably mounted in any preferred manner, such as the needle bearing 234, on the lower end of the spindle 224. The thrust collar is secured on the drill spindle by suitable means such as a retaining nut 235 on one side and by a thrust bearing 236 abutting a shoulder 23! on the other side.

The means for normally holding the drill spindles in inoperative position are combined with the means for stopping the spindles, at the end of their respective operative strokes, said means comprising a stop screw 238 threaded into the lip-turned lug 239 on fork 238' and locked in position by a lock nut threaded thereon. An abutment plunger 240 is slidably mounted in the bore MI in the frame 221 and an adjustable abutment plug 242 is threaded into the other end of the bore 24I against which the plunger abuts to limit the stroke of the drill spindles.

. A shoulder 243 is provided on the plunger 248 which rests against an abutment shoulder in the end of the bore opposite to the plug 242 when the spindle 224 is in normal inoperative position. For returning the plunger 240 to inoperative position, a compression spring 244 is seated against the abutment plug 242 at one end and bears against a shoulder 245 on the plunger at the other end. Adjustment of the stroke of the drill spindle is accomplished by changing the position of the abutment plug 242 while the adjustment of the inoperative position of the drill spindle is -11 accomplished. by resetting the stop screw 238. ."I'his. same type of mechanism is. also embodied in. the ,upper. .d-rill spindle structure.

.Means .for rotating the, drill spindle 224...are .quitesimilar to that ofthe first embodiment. and ,comprisepa, spindle pulley. 2.43 rotatably mounted v,. by. jthe.needle .bearing 24! on. the .portion .of.,,the sleeve. bearing 225 which. extends beyond frame .221. Anannular flange 281on the bearing225 vadjacent .theneedle. bearing. cooperates .vvithan ..interior,.annular.fiange 249 on the pulley- 246 to ,keep the pulley o'n'the sleeve bearing. .The pulley is. rotatably. and .slidably. connected to; the. .drill v.spindle'2-25.,byan. internal spline" 250 formed in thejboreof a, cover. plate. 25 l said, spline. slid- ,ably engaging within thelongitudinal .splineway 25am thegdrill spindl'eg22d. ',Cover,.1;:-late 25lv is ,held by-.suitable means .suchas. screws 253. onto j. its pulley EdS. To, prevent foreign material'from enteringgthe lower spindle bearing. surface, ,a protective cap 2'54, telescgping. overjthepuppernportion of the sleeve bearingj225 where itprotrudes above frame',221,' is'removably .held on the endof jthe spindlej224lin, anyjdesired mannerv such as by, asuitable loick screw.

. Thelcns clamping mechanism; of, this embodiamentcofl our. invention, resembles generally, the corresponding. mechanism j of ,j'the first embodi- ..ment and similar parts; have, similar junctions. L-.However,-. the mechanism of the.second embodiment is capable of clamping efiectively" lenses 1. hai ing :a greater range of.thi'ckness at the .edge. jThispiis, accomplished by changing the normal clamping position of. the movable jaw, in accordance with the edge thickness of the lens to be c1amped, without changingthe angular position goffithe movable. jaw. ;A movable clamping .jaw 256,.pivoted'on pini 2581fixedin carriage member 259, cooperates with the stationary clamping jaw"25l. The carriage member"259.is freely slidable' in .a; parallel, sided guideway 250 in the I frame-2 21. .Guideway' 260. is partially formed by .interior,vertical ribsqZGLon the" frame and partially: by an exterior bearing plateilfi2'screwed :toj'thefront of. the, frame. sons to contactthe hackjandfrontsurfaces respectively of the carriageimember as shown iIrFig. '7, The carriage .member 259 which is somewhat ,u -shapedin cross section, has side. wall's'263 andt254 in whichflthe pivot pin 25B is seated. and aback-wall 2E5, connecting. the side walls.

. Motion'of the carriage member'259'toward or .awayfrom the stationary jaw 25! is accomplished ,by arr adjustment member 266 slidably ,held, in

the' frame'22l so-as to; project ;beneath, the"cartriagemember259 andsupportit. Cooperating ;cam ,surfaces '26! and 268 are" formed 1011" the adjustment member "265, and carriage member 259, respectively, wherebyendwiseimovement of the; adjustment "member 265 transmits vertical motion to thacarriagemember' 259.

Means for calipering the edge thickness of. the lens-are provided on theside ofythezframe' 221 and comprise afixed collar 259 surrounding the adjustment membert266 and a setting knobtZH having calip in races. 2.12 .3, e pe tive y, thereon between which the edge otthe' .lens/ 88. is inserted. The settingknobjfl I is threaded onto the outer surfaceof a tubular, supporting exten- ,sion'. 210 on the collar; 269. for, providing relative motion between the calipering facesi2'i2 and 213 Knob 2'l.l:serves asunitary means'ioractuating 'boththe'lens caliperingelement212 and the, ad-

justment member 266 since: the latter extends through the extension 2 1 .and has its end. secured 12 to the settingknob. 21!..by means ofra. swive1.con- .nection 21.4 .of. any desirable form.

Clampingpressureis appliedito anintegral ..lever,.arm 2 15 on the movable. jaw 256 .by. .a lock- 5 .ingplunger 215,.slidably mounted .in a..bore,.2l'| .in..the framelZZ'I. A .cam.surface.'218 inclined .to its direction of .motion is formed on .the locking plunger 21$..andi downward, motion. is imparted thereto bya spring 219 pressingagainst the .upper oend. thereof. Upon-downwardmovement of the locking member. 21$,p-ressureis transmitted from the cam. surface .218 through a transmission member, such as.a..ball.280 lyinginthe guideway 266,..to .the. lever,arm. 2'15 .to clamp .the. .lensslla 5-betweenjawsiSS, and 251. .A spring: 28! which urges the carriage memberg259. against th cam surface-261. on the-adjustmentmember prevents thelatter from. turning. -It .will,be,seen that the thrust connection from the .camsurface 278. to the lever arm 215 is'equallyjeffective for all. vertical adjustments of the lever. arm. A .portion'of jthecamsurface 218 is formed .on a key-.likeextension 'on the locking member. 216 which, projects between the vertical ribs 261, to prevent rotation of thelockingmember in the bore. 213'. Alocator member'283 for governing theedge distance of .a holelto be drilledin the .lensand an outeizsupport member 1284 for clamping the lens are also provided, so as to operate. in. thesame manner as in the. firstembodimento'i this invention.

The. operation. of this form of l. the invention is the sameas the operation of the first embodi- ,ment except as .to the .,clamping procedure. 1 Firstgthe, locator member, 2831s set forthecorrect edgehdistance of. the ,hole, .to. .be. .drilled .and..the

.outer, support member 285 is. adjusted to....correspondtothesizej of the, lens 88. LTheedgeof-a lens, having a ,drilling, mark thereon. is then ,in- ,serted in the caliperingdeviceand the .lens thick- 40 ness is measured. While. the calipering facesji2l2 ,a'nd1213 areubeingmoved to, grip..the lens,. the operating, member'LZSB-simultaneously. moves .the movable'jaw 256 vertically;so;that..the,.normal clamping .position ofthe jaw. automaticallycorresponds to V the calipered edge. thickness ,ofLthe lensfj From this point on, the .clampiflggprocedurensedwith thefirste'mbodiment isfollowed. Similarly .to the ;first,embodiment, both then-p- 1 per and? lower dri11,,.spifidles...and-..bea12ing.l$l1bassemblies, may-,be removed .as a. unit and inter- .changed with-a; duplicate new drill spindle. :unit when .repair .or replacement is necessary- -As .shown inFig, '7, the. lower .drill spindle unitmay be. removed by first removingethe protective .cap

.55 .254,Irom..-the end -of .the..dril1.spindle}'224 and then- ]loosening. the ,.'set screw. 226.. Next .thekeys i2 32.,are .di=sco,nneoted from the: thrust collart233 and the driving belt is removed from thepulley .246. Subsequently,. the, lower, drill spindle ,unit,

comprising the drillgspindle. 224,..bearing. mem- ..ber..".22 5,-. spindle .pulley 246, -needle= bearing 24], thrust .bearing 236, thrust collar 2 33,...and. -re- ,.taining nut 235, may. be withdrawn from the .opening inthe frame 221.

(.It ,wi1l..be.seen that, there is hereprovideda lens drilling machine .having improved. drill spin- ..dle structure ..and.. lens clampingmechanism, by which, lenses, of various. sizes,- shapes. aridthicknesses. may. bejdrilled expeditiouslyaand With-a 7 .minimum ofspoilagegall in accordancewith stated objects of. this invention.

.AlthoHgh but certain. embodimentsof this. in- Yention havebeen shown'and described in detail, it will be. understoodthatntherembodiments. are

possible and changes mayhemade in, form and arrangement of its parts and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a lens drilling machine having a frame, a pair of longitudinally aligned and spaced, axially movable drills journaled in said frame, and feed means for moving both drills simultaneously in the same direction relative to the frame so that one drill at a time acts from opposite sides against a lens to be drilled, the combination of clamping means for holding said lens in a fixed position relative to the frame in the space between the drills while a hole is completely drilled through the lens, said clamping means including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw in alignment with each other so as to grip the opposite refractive surfaces of said lens, the movable jaw having a lever arm thereon, a locking member slidably mounted in the frame adjacent the active end of the lever arm, a cam connection between the locking member and the lever arm, a spring bearing against the locking member to move it into locking engagement with the arm, said clamping means also including a lens support member slidably connected to the frame for movement toward and away from the stationary jaw so as to bear against the outer edge of the lens, spring means acting to force the support member against the edge of the lens, and a release member movably mounted adjacent to both the locking member and support member and opera-bly connected thereto so as to cause these two last-named members to release the lens upon movement of the release member in a releasing direction.

2. In a lens drilling machine having a frame, a pair of spaced, coaxial drill spindles rotatably and slida-bly mounted on the frame, drilling tools carried by said spindles, and feed means for moving the spindles coincidentally in the same direction relative to the frame so that one tool at a time acts against a lens to be drilled from opposite sides, the combination of clamping means for holding said lens in a fixed position with reference to the frame in the space between said spindles while a hole is drilled entirely through the lens, said clamping means including an upper jaw fixed to the frame and a lower jaw movably mounted on the frame and aligned with the upper jaw for clamping the lens on its refractive surfaces, said clamping means further including a lens support member engageable with the outer edge of the lens opposite to the jaws and movable toward the jaws, a, locking plunger slidably mounted in the frame, a, first spring seated on the plunger and urging it in a locking direction, power multiplying means operably connected between the plunger and the lower jaw whereby movement of the plunger in a locking direction causes clamping pressure to be applied to "the lower jaw, a second spring connected between the frame and lens support member to force the support member against the edge of the lens, a release member mounted so as to move in close proximity relative to both the plunger and support member, and cam-like projections on said release member by which the plunger and the support member are individually operated by the release member, said projections being so spaced relative to the plunger and support member that movement of the release member in a releasing direction first causes release of the support member and then the plunger.

3. In a lens drilling machine having a frame, a pair of drill spindles rotatably and slidably journaled in said frame in axial alignment and in opposed spaced relation, drilling tools carried by said spindles, and feed means for movin first one of said tools and then the other against opposite sides of a lens to drill a hole to completion therethrough, the combination of clamping means for holding said lens stationary with respect to said frame in the space between the drill spindles until said hole is completed, said clamping means including a stationary jaw and a movable jaw between which said lens is clamped on its refracting surfaces, means for applying clamping pressure to said movable j-aw, a carriage member on which said movable jaw is pivotally carried, the carriage member being movable toward and away from said stationary jaw to vary the normal clamping position of the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw, a slidable adjustment member having an inclined connection to said carriage member to move it toward and away from the stationary jaw upon movement of the adjusting member, and a calipering member movably mounted on said frame for measuring the edge thickness of the lens. said caliperingmember having a stem operably connected to said adjustment member for simultaneous movement therewith whereby the normal clamping position of the movable jaw is set in accordance with the setting of the calipering member.

BURR W. JONES, GEORGE C. SCHELLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATEN'I S Number Name Date 1,575,308 Alger et al Mar. 2, 1926 1,762,872 Manley June 10, 1930 2,321,822 Kendis June 15, 1943 

